Dr. Pan Named a “Hero” by TIME Magazine

September 1, 2015

Sacramento – TIME Magazine calls Dr. Richard Pan a hero in the article, “Meet the Heroes and Villains of Vaccine History.” Dr. Richard Pan was singled out with pioneering physicians and scientists such as Edward Jenner, Jonas Salk and Pearl Kindrick who have saved millions of lives.

"It’s a tremendous honor to be called a hero by the iconic magazine TIME in the company of giants of history including Edward Jenner and Jonas Salk,” said Dr. Pan, a State Senator representing Sacramento. Vaccines protect our communities from diseases that crippled or killed millions of people. My efforts to strengthen immunization rates is an example of how I am keeping my promise to build a healthier and safer California.”

Earlier this year, Dr. Richard Pan authored SB 277, which the Governor signed into law on June 30, 2015. The new law, which will be implemented July 1, 2016, protects every child’s right to be safe at school by preventing preventable contagions from spreading at school and in the community. SB277 makes California one of three states in the nation where schools will only accept a medical exemption to legally required vaccinations for children attending school. Under the measure, children entering kindergarten or 7th grade will need to provide evidence they have received the legally required vaccines unless they have a physician-approved medical exemption. Children whose parents decide not to vaccinate them can be taught at a home-school or through independent study provided by the public school.